You’ve gone to more doctors than you can count. A few said you were simply down in the dumps, that your lack of energy could be attributed to not getting enough exercise, and sent you on your way. Some others ran every test in the book and recommended anti aging potions that were a strange color and made you queasy. Still other doctors came back with a few of these tests, and let you know that your problem was low testosterone, or “low T.”
This news was probably a shock. After all, testosterone is so intimately tied to our cultural ideas about manhood that anything wrong in that department prompts anxiety. Well first of all, some good news — you are not alone. Most men start to produce less testosterone after the age of thirty! It’s just that this drop-off is more drastic for some than others. We understand if that’s small comfort though, particularly because of the mood issues you’ve been dealing with. You didn’t have to be talked into low T therapy, especially since there’s really only one question on your mind:
Will testosterone treatment help my depression?
This is a fair question, but we encourage you to think more holistically about your situation. The right question isn’t so much “Will testosterone treatment help my depression?” but “How can a hormonal imbalance effect my life and body chemistry?” Low testosterone has been attributed to many issues, including:
-Lack of energy
-Lack of focus
-Low libido
-Insomnia
-Mood swings
-Weight gain
-Muscle and bone weakening
-Insulin resistance/diabetes complications
Hormones are like the body’s fine-tuned calibration system, so if they’re off balance, it’s no wonder you’re feeling depressed! Just look at that list! Rather than focusing on the question “Will testosterone treatment help my depression,” we think a better idea is to track your overall health level in the above areas before and after treatment. Some strategies for accurately tracking include:
-Keeping a mood journal
-Logging your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic
-Engaging in exercise and tracking weight/reps
-Monitoring how often you forget what you were doing or have trouble concentrating
-Tracking how often you engage in sexual activity
-Noting how long it takes you to fall asleep each night
-Asking friends and family if they’ve noticed any chances in mood, weight, focus level, etc.
If the very thought of engaging in any activities on this list makes you feel like a calorie-counting fourteen year old girl, we encourage you to re-frame that image. Think of it more like sports statistics and try to stay low-stress about it. If you miss a stat or a day, the world is not going to end. It will also help to come up with some sort of standardized system. For example, a lot of people who deal with anxiety have workbooks with a list of questions they must answer during an attack, and these questions remain the same. Automate as much of this process as possible so that it’s not such a chore.
Most importantly…
The most important thing to keep track of when you’re going through low T therapy are side effects. Have a serious conversation with your doctor about the risks of low T therapy before embarking on a treatment plan. (Men with a family history or personal history of blood clots or stroke should be particularly cautious). Pick up the phone and alert a health professional to worrying signs and symptoms. Some things you should report immediately include:
-Severe headaches
-Unusually severe acne
-Breast enlargement
-Sleep apnea
You’ve felt poorly for such a long time. But it might just be that low T therapy will turn back the clock, and make you feel like you again.